Customer Info FAQs

Modern Electric Water Company purchases its power for Bonneville Power Administration. Included in your billing rates are mandated state and federal fees including funding to protect fish and wildlife.

The new budget monthly charge will be re-calculated based on consumption history for the previous 12 months each May.

To apply, please verify that you fulfill the following criteria:

1. A minimum of 1 year as a resident at the current address.
2. Your May bill must be paid in full leaving a zero balance.
3. If renting, please have your landlord call our office to give enrollment approval.

For more information, call our office at (509) 928-4540, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Residential Water Meters are read and billed based on a valid reading twice a year. Historically, water usage during the winter and spring months is low so the remaining 10 months, your water usage is estimated based on a calculated 1,000-cubic feet times the current usage rate. During the 2 true-up billing months when a valid reading is entered, any usage over the allotted monthly 1,000-cubic feet will be billed to your account. Any over-estimated usage age will be credited to your account. Additionally, your bill will list the Read Type as “Valid” instead of “Estimated”.

Close to half of our home’s electricity cost comes from heating and cooling expenses for air and water. Extreme weather conditions can cause a major impact on your bill. If you are interested in an energy audit please call our partner in energy efficiency, Efficiency Services Group, at (888) 883-9879.

If you can help pay a bill for a household in crisis, please consider Project Share. Visit Give to Project Share's website. Donations may also be included with your monthly payment made payable to Modern.

Please call Modern Electric Water Company’s Customer Service Center at (509) 928-4540, Extension 1, if you are having difficulty making your monthly payment. Additionally, the following agencies also offer payment assistance:

Spokane Neighborhood Action Program (SNAP), (509) 456-7110, distributes assistance funds during the heating season. Grants are based on income and family size. Contact SNAP for more information on the SNAP website.

Modern Help or Modern Senior Help, (managed by Valley Partners), (509) 927-1153, funding is available for qualified Modern Electric Water Company customers.

Project Share, (509) 456-7110, assists with funds based upon income and family size. Project Share was established to provide emergency energy assistance to those not eligible for heating assistance or who have exhausted all other available energy assistance sources. Funding comes from contributions made by utility customers

Washington Information Network 211, call 211 for health and human service information and referrals. More information is available at Win 211's website

The Automatic Payment Program automatically deducts the exact amount of your payment from your checking or savings account 14 days after your billing date. Withdrawal dates may vary slightly from month to month. To enroll in the program, please have your account at a zero balance, and complete and return an Automatic Payment Enrollment Form (PDF) with a voided check.

In Person / Drive-Thru

Pay your bill at Modern’s headquarters, located at 904 North Pines Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. We accept cash, checks, money orders, and Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express credit or debit cards.

Lobby hours:

• Monday through Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Drive-thru hours:

• Monday through Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Closed weekends and holidays.

By Mail

Mail a check or money order with the remittance slip from your bill to:

Modern Electric Water Company
P.O. Box 141107
Spokane Valley, WA 99214-1107

Please use the return envelope provided with your bill.

Online / Mobile App

Pay your bill through your online account or Modern’s mobile app using a credit card, debit card, or checking account. Accepted cards include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

You can:

• Submit a payment right away.
• Schedule a payment for a future date.
• Set up recurring payments through Auto Pay.
• Pay using Google Pay or Apple Pay.

To get started, sign in to your online account or register for an account.

By Phone

Call (509) 928-4540, extension 1, to pay your bill by credit or debit card.

Phone payments are accepted by credit or debit card only. E-check payments from checking or savings accounts are not accepted by phone.

Phone customer service hours:

• Monday through Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Closed weekends and holidays.

Modern Pay — Automatic Bank Draft

Modern Pay automatically withdraws your utility bill payment from your checking or savings account. Your payment is withdrawn approximately 14 days after your billing date. Withdrawal dates may vary slightly from month to month.

To enroll or learn more, call (509) 928-4540, extension 1.

Drop Box

An after-hours payment drop box is located at the end of the drive-thru at Modern’s headquarters, 904 North Pines Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99206.

Bill Pay Through Your Bank or Credit Union

You may also pay through your bank or credit union’s online bill-pay service. Modern accepts third-party electronic payments from banks and credit unions.

Use the statement number shown on your bill as the payment reference.

Budget Billing Plan

Budget Billing allows you to pay a consistent monthly amount based on your average utility usage, helping you plan for seasonal changes in your bill.

Budget Billing is available after you have 12 months of usage history. To learn more, call (509) 928-4540, extension 1.

For questions about payment options, call Customer Service at (509) 928-4540 Extension 1. Phone customer service hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Closed weekends and holidays.

Need Help Paying Your Bill?

Emergency assistance may be available for short-term help. Contact:

• Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP): (509) 456-7627
• Project Share, managed by SNAP: (509) 456-7627
• Partners Inland Northwest: (509) 508-4572

For additional referrals or to discuss payment arrangements, call Modern at (509) 928-4540, extension 1.

The following is an overview of Modern Electric Water Company's Credit Policy:

1. If payment is not made by the statement's grace period due date, Modern will print a reminder notice on the next billing statement and a late fee will be added to the previous balance.
2. If the previous balance, plus the late fee, is not received, a final disconnection notice will be mailed to the customer. This notice state the final payment due date, the amount owing including all past due fees, and the date that service will be disconnected.
3. If payment is not received before this final payment date, the electricity will be shut off without further notice or communication from Modern Electric Water Company. A service disconnection fee will be charged. When service is disconnected for non-payment, the past due amount, plus all late and reconnection fees, must be paid in full before service can be restored.
4. Additional fees will apply: (a) reconnection during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, except holidays); (b) reconnection after-hours; and (c) reconnection for service disconnected at the power pole